The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-08-25

after her long ride and brisk walk.
1t was half-past six by the buhl clock
on the mantel, and Bessie always had
tea punctually at six in summer.
Perhaps she isn't coming back till
evening"" Genie reflected. EAT any
rate, l am almost famished. am
going to explore the pantry"
Suiting action to words, she soon
unearthed supply of spongy bread,
bowl of Strawberries, and plenty of
rich cream.
She would have done very well with
her repast had she not met with mis-
hap at the very last. Upon shelf she
spied something which, of all delica-
cies, best suited her palate.
''One of Bessie's custard-piesp she
exclaimed.
In reaching for it, however, she
missed her hold, and plate, pie, and
all fell with a dreadful crash to the
floor.
At that very moment carriage-wheels
rumbled up to the door, and voices
! and laughter sounded outside.
Bessie and John have come, and
somebody else with them, / should
think" Genie exclaimed.
She listened, staring at the mess she
had made.
Where is the keyP" demanded
| feminine voice, which certainly did
not resemble Bessie Caswelrs.
Didn't you put it under the stepP"
said another voice, which wasn't
Johns. Genie was sure.
''Of course did," returned the first
| speaker.
ut isn't here. guess it has been
stolen" after silent interval.
Better try the door, and see if you
didn't forget to lock it altogether" sug-
gested still another voice, which was
also masculine.
Bessie has brought home lot of
company" thought Genie in dismay
What shall dOP" she added. II be-
lieve I'll run up to my room-the one
she always kept especially for me-
and stay until they're gone. But if
they should" -
Her reflections were broken by an
increasing clamor of voices outside.
She did not wait to consider the mat
ter longer. She darted across the
kitchen to the front hall, and up the
carpeted stairs, nor did she pause to
take breath until the chamber which
Bessie always kept for her was reached.
She closed the door and turned the
key. At the same time she heard the
sound of hasty footsteps and excited
voices below, and knew that the COM
ers had gained admittance.
There are tramps in the hOuse!'
she heard one say in shrill tones.
.'Or burglars!" supplemented anoth-
| er.
II won't go up stairs. nor stir out of
| hot fnIlxc kar
over the house." declared the lady who
could not find the key.
An instant later from the pantry
came small scream, and the words:
.sJust look at this, willyou and then
tell me there haven't been robbers in
the house"
To Genie, in the chamber over the
tumult, startling fact occurred.
Among them all there was not single
familiar voice, and sudden sensation.
amounting almost to terror, swept
over her.
She faced about, and for the first
time noticed that the furnishings OF
'her room" had been completely
changed.
That was not all. She went over
to the dressing-case, and was yet more
deeply amazed to find it strewn with
articles adapted to a masculine toilet.
A shaving-mug of decorated china
and unique design, a razor and strop,
broken cuff-button, told the truth all
too plainly.
There was another article which, be.
ing evidently the handiwork of skilled
feminine fingers, particularly attract.
ed Genie's attention.
1t was embroidered in silk, with the
name Emma" worked on one side
and eugene" on the other.
emma and Eugene must be very
dear friends, indeed, for her to put sc
much work into these" was the half
coherent reflection of Genie, which re.
occurred with greater force.
She had no time to admire the deli
cate needlework, for the desperatenes'
of her situation was becoming mo
mentarily more manifest.
A heavy tread sounded on the stair:
and approached the door.
Then the knob turned, and mascu
line tone calculated:
.'Ehp
Genie shrank back, fairly miserable
in the result of her innocent intention
to surprise Bessie and John.
..See here, Henry!" the one outsid
the door shouted.
What is itp" came from the foo
of the stairs.
1--WE cornered the culprit, whethe
, he be tramp, burglar, OF mischievou
boy"
''Where?"
''In my room. Locked in. Come
| quick. fetch a pair of pincers.
Hurrying footsteps, an excited mul
mur of voices, and then somethin
, seized the key upon the other sid
and turnedit. Genie sprang forwar
to withdraw it but too late.
, The bolt was thrown back, the doc
swung open, and Genie Merriam, pale
trembling. almost crying, was col
; fronted by two men, one of whol
was young. tall, and strikingly hanG
some, while the other was stout an
| as noticeably plain.
"Great XerxesT calculated the latiel
: But the younger man only gazed
: silent admiration, for Genie, in tt
+ pretty wrapper and in an attitude {
=. exquisite vet unconscious grace, mad
~ a lovely picture, despite her misery.
a Two female faces peered timidly int
n the room over the shoulders of the gel
q tlemen, one round and matronly, an
n the other fair and girlish.
/. with my wrapper on? aimo
screamed the younger.
!. Poor Genie, weak from the season
n overwork, and with nerves straine
to their utmost tension, would hay
e fallen in swoon, had she not bee
n caught by the younger mans read
h arm. And she heard the latter say.
a voice that seemed to come from
l. great distance:
d There is some ridiculous mistal
o here. This delicate sweet-faced ere
ture is neither tramp or vandal
d Genie did not lose consciousness @
d tirely, thanks to the kind ministratiol
a of the matronly woman. But for Sc
le eral days she was quite i'll. and durir
that period she was constantly attends
M by Mrs. Hathaway, the round-fac'
). lady; while Florence. her girlish-fac,
4. sister cooked delicacies for her, Il
20 elder Mr.. Hathaway brought her fri
le from the village, and Eugene Hath